MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Peripheral

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Peripheral

Contents of this page:
Illustrations	Definition

Illustrations

Anatomical landmarks, back view

Anatomical landmarks, front view

Peripheral orientation

Definition Return to top

Peripheral means "away from the center." It refers to the areas away from the center of the body or a body part. For example, the hands are peripheral to the shoulder. The toes are peripheral to the knees.

Update Date: 2/23/2009

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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